Dear Saints:

We returned to the mission house this summer with considerable apprehension, knowing that a teenage neighbor boy had broken in while we were in the States. At first, we thought almost nothing was stolen, but as time passed, we discovered different things were missing, and we presume they were stolen. The loss may have been $200-300, but we don't know. We were thankful to find that the losses were no greater, however.

The shipment we took to port in Alabama in August '05 was on a ship that was beached by Hurricane Katrina. The shipment finally arrived in May of this year. Most of the shipment was fine, but there was some spoilage of vitamins and food due to the shipment being in a hot humid container for so many months. We had bought a large quantity of food for a meeting here. We also had fabric in the shipment (mostly donated). The fabric which was to be given out has been distributed, and the sisters were happy to receive it. They are sewing new dresses for the upcoming meeting.

On our return trip this summer from the States, one suitcase was missing. It still has not arrived, which has been a real disappointment since much needed school materials were in it. Replacing things is not so easy in this country - there are no Walmarts!

The second weekend after we returned from the States, a group of four from the Politilly congregation travelled to the mainland for services in Rio Esteban. While I was in the States this summer, I had received a shocking phone call that the pastor in Rio Esteban died. I think he was only 38. Apparently he had pneumonia. After his death, his wife lost her reasonable thinking for a while. She laughed rather than cried and did other things that convinced people her mind was not normal. I was very touched by his death and longed to return to be with them.

Sunday afternoon we had a Bible study in Rio Esteban on the church, building a scriptural foundation for questions such as how many churches there are in the world, who is in the church, and who heads the church. There was considerable interest, especially from a young man who is very active in coordinating the services. The Bible study was well received and they are very open for a return trip with an extended Bible study of several days.

During the Bible study, the police arrested some men with marijuana. One of the men watches over the land of one of the congregational leaders. The man had marijuana on the congregational leader's horse, so the horse was seized in addition to the three men. After the service, the congregational leader had to pay the police 2000 Lempiras to get his horse back, even though he was not involved in the crime. That's over $100, a very large sum for Honduras. Paying police to get out of trouble is very commonplace here. A comment was made by one of the local people that the police are dangerous.

On the bus ride back to La Ceiba, it was standing room only. That didn't stop them from taking on more people, though. Part of the trip, I was back with the cargo, leaning on some boxes. I was afraid that I would start getting claustrophobic and fought the feeling of panic. The rocky road was especially dry, and streams that flow rapidly during the wet season were dry beds.

A septic system project for the building addition is underway. It is especially challenging due to the swampy soil. This is a very busy time. School is in progress, and both Lenita and Sarah help in the Saint's school here in Politilly and also do some teaching in the government school in Oak Ridge. This is also preparation time for the upcoming tent meeting, scheduled for October 1st - 8th.

We are excited about the number of people coming from the States to support the meeting, including some young people who have never been here before. Please pray for the success of the meeting. There is also interest from people on other islands and the on the mainland in coming to the meeting. It is our desire that the truth of God's word go out in its fullness and that hungry souls be brought into the one fold that Jesus spoke of in John 10:16.

I was happy to find various young men in the congregation here still encouraged and going on for the Lord. One of them accompanies me on my trips to Rio Esteban. He is very eager to learn about the things of God.

I would like to express our very deep appreciation for your prayers and financial support. Sometimes I worry that someone sends an offering and does not receive a "thank you" from us - it is difficult to keep track of all of our U.S. business while we are down here. We do appreciate your support.

Please pray for us and the work here. We want to see the kingdom of God prosper.

In Christ,
Doug and Lenita Wall and Family
Honduras